Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the US to officiate on the World Cup, will nonetheless obtain his full event price.
Artan was interrogated for 11 hours by US immigration authorities at Miami Worldwide Airport on Monday earlier than being advised he wouldn’t be allowed into the nation after his diplomatic passport and single entry US visa have been rejected.
A US authorities official mentioned Artan had not been allowed to enter the nation due to an alleged “affiliation with suspected members of terror organisations”.
Artan mentioned he had been questioned by border officers over his hyperlinks to Somali militant group Al Shabab and had advised them he knew nothing in regards to the organisation.
“I had the precise papers and every part. I had the precise visa,” mentioned Artan.
“I am simply merely a referee who’s attempting to reside his dream, the largest dream of my life, to return to the World Cup.”
After being put again on a aircraft to Turkey, Artan acquired help from Fifa officers in Istanbul earlier than boarding a flight to the Somali capital Mogadishu.
Sources advised BBC Sport that despite the fact that Artan will take no half within the World Cup, Fifa has dedicated to paying his wage.
Referees have no idea the precise price they are going to obtain for officiating on the World Cup, which is paid after the event is over.